Motherwell-Celtic Betting Preview: Hot Hoops are value for victory

By William Duncan

The league leaders ran out emphatic winners at the weekend and Willie Duncan is backing Neil Lennon's men to enjoy another comfortable victory on Wednesday

Celtic romped to a 5-0 win over Scottish Premier League basement boys Dundee at the weekend and Neil Lennon’s men will look to continue their relentless march towards the defence of their Premier League title by claiming all three points when they visit Motherwell at Fir Park on Wednesday night.

The Hoops are unbeaten in their last eight league matches and extended their lead at the top of the table to 21 points at the weekend, so it is little surprise to see the defending champions chalked up at just 8/13 (1.62) with Coral to claim all three points against Stuart McCall’s men.

The Steelmen have lost three of their last four matches, including a 3-0 reverse at the hands of Ross County at the weekend, and the Fir Park side are chalked up at 9/2 (5.50) with Coral to bounce back with victory over the Hoops, while the same firm go 11/4 (3.75) that the match ends in stalemate.

Gary Hooper has bagged an impressive 23 goals so far this term, so it is little surprise to see the former Scunthorpe United striker heading up Coral’s first goalscorer market at 7/2 (4.50) to break the deadlock on Wednesday night.

Wales international midfielder Joe Ledley was also on target twice in the Hoops’ demolition of Dundee on Sunday afternoon and he is available at a massive 18/1 (19.0) with Coral to score first at Fir Park, while the same firm offer a hugely appealing 13/2 (7.50) for the former Cardiff City man to score at any time, which is not to be missed by those in search of a longer shot to back.

Stuart McCall will be concerned that his side have failed to score in three of their last four matches and if the Steelmen are to claim victory here, they will be heavily reliant on a big performance from top scorer Michael Higdon.

Higdon is available at 8/1 (9.0) with Coral to open the scoring here while the same firm offer 11/4 (3.75) that the Englishman, who has scored 17 goals for the Steelmen this term, nets at any time.

Celtic, though, will come into this match with plenty of belief following their emphatic victory over Dundee and the 7/5 (2.40) quote from Coral for the Hoops to lead at both half-time and full-time carries plenty of appeal here, while the 13/2 (7.50) quote from the same firm for Joe Ledley to get his name on the scoresheet at any time is the value selection.

Sign up to Coral for a free bet worth up to £50Willie Duncan is a freelance sports journalist. Willie, from Edinburgh, has covered Scottish football for over 10 years and he specialises in football betting markets from across Europe. You can also follow Willie on Twitter